Golf Training Device

ABSTRACT

A golf training device for utilization within a dwelling having a mounting frame of a general height carried by a floor. The golf training device includes resilient tarp flexibly carried by the mounting member via a plurality of suspension members at a location proximate the general height of the mounting member. The suspension members enabling the resilient tarp to hang from the mounting member in a manner enabling the tarp to deflect upon impact from a golf ball. The resilient tarp has indicia indicative of a golf course fairway.

The present invention relates to a golf target training device and moreparticularly to a tarp having target indicia for receiving the impact ofa struck golf ball which is mounted within the interior of a building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golfers are endlessly pursuing the perfect swing. In pursuit of thisgoal, golfers strive to practice their swing whenever they have theopportunity. Such efforts usually involve going to a golf driving rangewhere certain targets are positioned at different lengths and lateralpositions from a predetermined hitting spot. This configuration enablesthe golfer to visually see a target and aim for that target.

However, going to a golf driving range is not always convenient.Accordingly, attempts to provide opportunities to practice a golf swingat a home have produced target nets. One such net is provided byCallaway identified as the Callaway Golf Home Range. This net is sixfeet high by six feet wide and six feet deep and includes a bullseyetarget which is suspended within the interior of the net. A mat forhitting a golf ball off of is provided. This construction may be usedinside a dwelling or garage. When using such a device, a person wouldtypically stand ten to fifteen feet away for striking a golf ball off ofa mat. Accordingly, while suitable for its intended purpose, such apractice configuration requires approximately sixteen feet of floorspace, which is significant. Additionally, while not necessarily, it ispossible that holes within the net may develop possibly weakening theentire structure. Furthermore, setting up a target net can sometimes becomplicated.

Additional practice environments include golf simulators which are foundat locations such as PGA Superstores. These simulators have a computergenerated scene displayed on a resilient screen intended to absorb theimpact of a struck golf ball. These simulators also generally havecameras for tracking the golf ball and utilize software to provide anestimation of the distance and direction which the ball was hit. Basedon this information, various depictions of the golf course is presentedonto the screen to provide a realistic experience. Additionally, sincethe motion sensor devices are fixed and calibrated for such fixedpositions, in order to accurately calculate the flight of the struckgolf ball and hence manipulate the displayed image on the screen, thegolf ball is required to be struck from a fixed point thereby typicallyalways presenting the golfer in line with the target. While suitable fortheir intended purposes, such constructions are typically only found invarious golf stores and are generally beyond the price range for homeinstallation. Furthermore, having a fixed striking point which isaligned with the target is not always present during actual golfingconditions. Hence the ability to hit a golf ball from various angles toa target is more desirable.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for agolf target training device which may be utilized within a dwellingwhich does not require significant floor space and which is economical.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide for a golftarget training device which is sturdy and resistant to rips.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide for agolf target training device which is easy to set up and also presents arealistic appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished according to the invention byproviding a golf training device for utilization within a dwellinghaving a mounting frame of a general height carried by a floor. The golftraining device includes a resilient tarp flexibly carried by a mountingmember via a plurality of suspension members at a location proximate thegeneral height of the mounting member. The suspension members enable theresilient tarp to hang from the mounting member in a manner enabling thetarp to deflect upon impact from a golf ball. The resilient tarp hasindicia indicative of a golf course fairway.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter bedescribed, together with other features thereof. The invention will bemore readily understood from a reading of the following specificationand by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof,wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view illustrating a golf target training deviceaccording to the invention suspended within a dwelling.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a golf target training deviceaccording to the invention suspended within a dwelling.

FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of a golf target training deviceaccording to the invention suspended within a dwelling.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring in more details to the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, agolf target training device A is suspended from a mounting member 10.Mounting member 10 may be a suspended pole, or a rafter inside anunfinished room. Additionally mounting member 10 may incorporate aframe. Preferably golf target training device A is a tarp 11 made fromcanvas. The canvas material is preferably heavy duty rot resistant tenounce cotton duck canvas fabric with double stitched seams.Additionally, the tarp 11 may be manufactured from rip stop fabric.Preferably tarp 10 is a sheet which is foldable and washable.

Tarp 11 includes a plurality of reinforced receptacles 12 or rings forreceiving suspension members 14. Preferably receptacles 12 are neoprenebonded seal washers for reducing the sound of the ball hitting the mat.Suspension members 14 may be S-hooks, or bungee cords or the like. Theopposite ends of suspension members 14 are received by mounting member10. Mounting member 10 in combination with suspension members 14suspends tarp in an upright position for being in a ready position toreceive a struck golf ball. Preferably the mounting member is located ata height which is proximate the height of a room, basically ten feet.Preferably tarp is constructed to suspend freely from a hung positionproximate the height of the frame enabling tarp 11 to deflect upon beingstruck by a golf ball to absorb the force of the golf ball. FIG. 2illustrates a side view of tarp 11 deflecting upon impact of a golfball. With the construction of tarp 11, the mounting member 10 and tarp11 may be positioned in the proximity of a wall preferably at leasteighteen inches. The additional footprint required for the golf trainingdevice A is minimal compared to the preferred striking distance fromwhich the golfer strikes the ball.

Tarp 11 is ideally of sufficient height to extend from close proximityto the ceiling to the floor with some overlap on the floor to providefor a ball catcher. Preferably tarp 11 is twelve feet wide and nine feettall. Such a construction provides for a large target area. The surfaceof tarp 11 is impregnated with a fixed target display. In the preferredembodiment, the fixed target display represents a scene representativeof a golf course fairway with a target flag. In one embodiment fairwaysof famous courses may be utilized and sold as a kit. Additionally, tarp11 may consist of a first design, but a second design on a lightersubstrate may be attached over the first design utilizing a Velcroattachment arrangement. In this manner, a person could practice severalholes of a particular famous course. This design provides for arealistic simulated target reinforcing accuracy on the golfer. Thegolfer will readily see where the struck golf ball lands indicating ifthe flight of the golf ball was accurate. FIG. 1 illustrates a fairwayscene 20 with woods bordering the fairway and a target flag 22. As shownin FIG. 3 in an alternative embodiment, tarp 10 consists of a set oftargets 28 located at different positions on the tarp. Suchconfiguration is suitable for skill shots such as chipping, bump andrun, etc. enabling different shots to be struck from different clubs andat different heights.

As shown in FIG. 2, in operation, mounting member 10 is provided andtarp 11 is carried by mounting member 16 via suspension members in amanner which enables tarp 11 to extend from the proximity of a ceilingto a floor and providing sufficient resiliency in the tarp 11 to deflectupon being struck by a golf ball. The tarp 11 includes a target area andpreferably hazards impregnated onto the tarp 11 providing for arealistic hitting experience. An instructional system may be provided byproviding a mat made from synthetic material such as Astro-turf® in akit with tarp 11.

Thus, it can be seen that an advantageous construction for a golftraining device can be had according to the invention. The golf trainingdevice consists of a tarp which is suspended within a dwelling in amanner which requires a footprint. The tarp is tear resistant andconstructed to endure the impact of struck golf balls. A visual targetwith associated hazards provide for a realistic hitting experience.

1. A golf training device for utilization within a dwelling having amounting member of a general height carried by a floor comprising: aresilient tarp flexibly carried by said mounting member via a pluralityof suspension members at a location proximate the general height of saidmounting frame; said suspension members enabling said resilient tarp tohang from said mounting member a manner enabling said tarp to deflectupon impact from a golf ball; and said resilient tarp having indiciaindicative of a golf course fairway.
 2. The golf training device ofclaim 1 wherein said tarp is constructed from a tear resistance materialselected from the group of canvas or rip stop.
 3. The golf trainingdevice of claim 1 wherein said tarp is at least nine feet in height whensuspended from said mounting member.
 4. The golf training device ofclaim 1 wherein said tarp is flexible and foldable.
 5. The golf trainingdevice of claim 1 further including a substrate having indiciarepresentative of a second golf course fairway design includingattachment mounts for being matingly attached to said tarp.
 6. The golftraining device of claim 5 wherein said tarp and substrate are sold as akit and contain fairway designs of famous golf fairways.
 7. A golftraining device for utilization within a dwelling having a mountingmember carried by a floor comprising: a resilient tarp flexibly carriedby said mounting member via a plurality of suspension members at alocation proximate the general height of said mounting member; saidsuspension members enabling said resilient tarp to hang from saidmounting member in a manner enabling said tarp to deflect upon impactfrom a golf ball; and said resilient tarp having indicia indicative of aplurality of targets at different heights and location on said tarp. 8.The golf training device of claim 7 wherein said tarp is constructedfrom a tear resistance material selected from the group of canvas or ripstop.
 9. The golf training device of claim 8 wherein said tarp is atleast nine feet in height when suspended from said mounting member. 10.The golf training device of claim 9 wherein said tarp is flexible andfoldable.
 11. A golf training device for utilization within a dwellinghaving a mounting member of a general height carried by a floorcomprising: a resilient tarp flexibly carried by said mounting membervia a plurality of suspension members at a location proximate thegeneral height of said mounting frame; said suspension members enablingsaid resilient tarp to hang from said mounting member a manner enablingsaid tarp to deflect upon impact from a golf ball; said resilient tarphaving indicia indicative of a target; said tarp is constructed from atear resistance material selected from the group of canvas or rip stop;and said tarp is at least nine feet in height when suspended from saidmounting member.